Method for taking into use an exchangeable supply pack in a beverage dispensing machine and system comprising an exchangeable supply pack and computer program product

ABSTRACT

A method for taking into use an exchangeable supply pack in a beverage dispensing machine is disclosed. The exchangeable supply pack comprising a dosing pump and a container with a liquid substance to be supplied by the beverage dispensing machine. The method subsequently comprises detecting placement of the exchangeable supply pack and executing an activation procedure. The activation procedure comprises repeating an activation cycle while detecting whether or not a liquid substance is present inside the dosing pump. The activation cycle comprises activating the dosing pump during a first period of time and at least partially deactivating the dosing pump during a second period of time. The activation procedure is completed when it is detected that liquid substance is present in the dosing pump. In addition, a beverage dispensing system and a computer program product are disclosed herein.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.15/199,175 filed on Jun. 30, 2016, which is a continuation ofInternational Patent Application No. PCT/NL2015/050001, filed on Jan. 2,2015, which claims priority to Netherlands Patent Application No.2012044, filed Jan. 3, 2014, all of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a method for accessing an exchangeablesupply pack in a beverage dispensing machine. The present inventionfurther relates to a beverage dispensing system comprising anexchangeable supply pack and a beverage dispensing machine. The presentinvention still further relates to a computer program product comprisinga program for control of a programmable beverage dispensing system.

It is well known that beverage dispensing machines make use ofbeverage-related liquid substances that are used in the preparation of abeverage for a user. The liquid substance may include but are notlimited to coffee extracts, tea extracts, chocolate beverages, milk,flavors, juices, and/or concentrates thereof. The beverage-relatedliquid substances are supplied to the dispensing machines inexchangeable supply packs. An example of such an exchangeable supplypack includes a bag-in-box pack. Since a dispensing machine willtypically carry a range of exchangeable supply packs a heavily useddispensing machine will need to be frequently re-stocked.

WO2011037464 discloses an exchangeable supply pack and a beveragedispensing system comprising an exchangeable supply pack and a beveragedispensing machine.

The exchangeable supply pack includes a housing, and located within thehousing, a container for accommodating a beverage-related liquidsubstance and a dosing pump (doser); a drive port via which a drivingtorque may be delivered to the dosing pump; and a liquid outlet port viawhich the liquid substance may be expelled from the cartridge.

As indicated above, liquid substances accommodated in the container maybe one of various kinds having mutually different hydraulic properties.The difference in hydraulic properties in particular influences thebringing into use of a new exchangeable supply pack. In this initialoperational mode of the system a first amount of the liquid substancehas to be transported from the container into the pump before the newsupply pack is suitable for reliable and controlled delivery of theparticular liquid substance in a subsequent normal operational mode ofthe system. During the normal operational mode of the system the liquidsubstance serves as a coolant for the pump, and additionally aslubricant between mutually moving parts.

During the initial operational mode, wherein a liquid substance is notyet present, heat being developed in the dosing pump resulting from afriction between the mutually moving parts may result in damages of thedosing pump.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved methodthat at least mitigates the risk of damages.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improvedsystem that at least mitigates the risk of damages.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide acomputer program product comprising a program that causes a programmablebeverage dispensing system to perform the improved method.

According to a first aspect of the present invention a method for takinginto use an exchangeable supply pack in a beverage dispensing machine isprovided. The exchangeable supply pack comprises a dosing pump and acontainer with a liquid substance to be supplied by the beveragedispensing machine. The method subsequently comprises:

-   -   detecting placement of the exchangeable supply pack,    -   executing an activation procedure comprising repeating an        activation cycle while detecting whether or not a liquid        substance is present inside the dosing pump, the activation        cycle comprising

-   a) activating the dosing pump during a first period of time,

-   b) at least partially deactivating the dosing pump during a second    period of time,    -   the activation procedure being completed when it is detected        that liquid substance is present in the dosing pump.

According to a second aspect of the present invention a beveragedispensing system is provided comprising a beverage dispensing machineand at least one exchangeable supply pack comprising a dosing pump and acontainer with a liquid substance to be supplied by the beveragedispensing machine. The beverage dispensing machine comprises acontroller for controlling the dosing pump and an inlet to receiveliquid substance to be delivered by the dosing pump from the container.

The beverage dispensing system further comprises a first detectionfacility arranged to detect presence of liquid substance in the dosingpump and a second detection facility arranged to detect placement of anexchangeable supply package, wherein the controller is coupled to saidfirst and said second detection facility and is operable in at least oneof a start-up mode and a subsequent normal operation mode. Thecontroller is arranged to assume the start-up mode in response to asignal from the second detection facility indicating that a newexchangeable supply package is placed. In the start-up mode the systemis arranged to perform an activation procedure wherein an activationcycle is repeated comprising activating the dosing pump during a firstperiod of time and subsequently maintaining the pump in an at leastpartially deactivated state during a second period of time. Upondetection by the first detection facility that liquid substance ispresent within the dosing pump the controller is arranged to completethe start-up mode.

According to a third aspect of the present invention a computer programproduct is provided that comprises a computer program for execution by acontroller of a beverage dispensing system that further comprises abeverage dispensing machine and at least one exchangeable supply packcomprising a dosing pump and a container with a liquid substance to besupplied by the beverage dispensing machine.

The activation procedure in the method and system according to thepresent invention can have a longer or shorter duration, dependent onthe type of liquid substance present in the container. By performing theactivation procedure as a repeating activation cycle, wherein the pumpis maintained in a deactivated state during a second period of time,heat development in the dosing pump is moderated, therewith avoidingdamages to the dosing pump even in cases where the liquid substanceneeds more time to access the dosing pump, for example due to arelatively high viscosity of the liquid substance.

The present invention is particularly valuable for application in amethod wherein the activation procedure is preceded by a step ofbroaching the container to provide a channel for said liquid substancebetween the container and the dosing pump. Before execution of thebroaching step no liquid substance is present yet in the dosing pump andeven if a channel is provided the broaching step may not immediatelyresult in a flow of liquid substance towards the dosing pump due topresence of air or an inert gas inside the dosing pump.

A broaching step may be performed manually by the operator, butpreferably the exchangeable supply pack includes a piercing element toperform said broaching step. In an embodiment the exchangeable supplypack comprises a conduit from the container to the pump having thepiercing element rotatable arranged therein. In this embodiment thepiercing element has tooth shaped elements facing the container toperform the broaching step. The rotatable piercing element has an outerprofile that cooperates with an inner profile of the conduit to definean axial position of said rotatable piercing element dependent on itsangular position. The rotatable piercing element at least has a firststate wherein it is angularly coupled to a rotatable element of saiddosing pump. This is advantageous in that the same driving means thatare used to drive the dosing pump during normal operation can be used tocause the piercing element to broach the exchangeable supply pack.

In an embodiment the rotatable piercing element has a second statewherein it is decoupled from the rotatable element by which it is drivenduring the broaching step. In this way it is avoided that the piercingelement generates noises during normal operation of the beveragedispensing system.

Placement of a new exchangeable supply pack may be facilitated in anembodiment wherein the dosing pump includes a driven pump pinion forreceiving a driving shaft of the beverage dispensing machine and whereinsaid broaching the container is preceded by an adaptation procedure tofacilitate mechanically coupling said pinion to said driving shaft, saidadaptation procedure comprising alternately rotating said driving shaftforward and backward. This adaptation procedure enables engagementbetween the driven pump pinion and the driving shaft without requiringhuman intervention.

In an embodiment the activation procedure further comprises detecting ifan interrupt condition occurs and interrupting the activation procedureupon such detection. Possible interrupt conditions include one or moreof a duration of said start-up mode exceeding a predetermined durationand a number of times that said activation cycle is repeated exceeding apredetermined number of times.

In the exceptional case that no liquid enters the dosing pump, forexample by a failure during the broaching procedure or a defect of thedosing pump, the activation procedure is automatically interrupted.Therewith it is avoided that an operator has to determine at whichmoment it is likely that an error has occurred and has to manuallyinterrupt the activation procedure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects are described in more detail with reference tothe drawing. Therein:

FIG. 1 schematically shows an embodiment of a beverage dispensing systemaccording to the present invention, comprising a beverage dispensingmachine with exchangeable supply packs,

FIG. 2 shows parts of an exchangeable supply pack and the beveragedispensing machine in more detail,

FIG. 3 shows other parts of an exchangeable supply pack and the beveragedispensing machine in more detail,

FIG. 4 provides another schematical illustration of an embodiment of abeverage dispensing system according to the present invention,comprising a beverage dispensing machine with exchangeable supply packs,

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a method according tothe present invention,

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary sequence of events in an embodiment of amethod according to the present invention,

FIG. 7A to 7D schematically illustrate placement of an exchangeablesupply pack,

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates an optional step in an embodiment of amethod according to the present invention,

FIG. 9 illustrates an exploded view of a dosing pump in an embodiment ofthe system according to the present invention,

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of the dosing pump of FIG. 9,

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrates a step of detecting a liquid substance inthe dosing pump, Therein

FIG. 11A illustrates a situation wherein no liquid is detected, and

FIG. 11B illustrates a situation wherein a liquid is detected,

FIG. 11C illustrates a detail of the dosing pump of FIG. 9,

FIG. 12 illustrates a worked open tilted view of a dosing pump in anembodiment of the system according to the present invention,

FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-section of the dosing pump of FIG. 12, thedosing pump being in a first operational state ST1,

FIG. 13A illustrates a part of the dosing pump of FIG. 12,

FIG. 13B illustrates another part of the dosing pump according to view Bin FIG. 13,

FIG. 13C illustrates a cross-section of said another part according toC1-C2 in

FIG. 13B,

FIG. 14 illustrates a cross-section of the dosing pump of FIG. 12, thedosing pump being in a second operational state ST2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elementsunless otherwise indicated.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a beverage dispensing system 1. The system 1comprises a beverage dispensing machine 10 and at least one exchangeablesupply pack. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the system includes three suchexchangeable supply packs 20, indicated by dashed lines, inside itshousing 17.

As shown in FIG. 1 a touch-screen display 18 is mounted on the housing17 for allowing an operator to specify a beverage to be prepared anddispensed. The housing 17, furthermore, has support 170 for supportingone or more receptacles 171. Outlets 172 are provided for dispensing aprepared beverage. A receptacle 171 may be placed for example, by theoperator by a placing mechanism.

An example of an exchangeable supply pack 20 is shown in more detail inFIG. 2. The exchangeable supply pack 20 comprises a dosing pump 22 and acontainer 24 with a liquid substance 25 to be supplied by the beveragedispensing machine. The liquid substance 25 is for example a coffeeextract, a tea extract, a chocolate beverage, milk, flavours, juices, ora concentrate for the preparation of these beverages. The beveragedispensing machine 10 may process the liquid substance and/or mix theliquid substance with other liquid substances. Alternatively the liquidsubstance may be supplied in the form in which it is present in thepackage, for example a cold chocolate beverage.

The dosing pump 22 is for example a volumetric pump, for example a gearpump, having a pair of gears that engage each other.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the beverage dispensing machine comprises acontroller 11 for controlling the dosing pump 22 of the exchangeablesupply pack, and an inlet 14 to receive liquid substance to be deliveredby the dosing pump from the container 24. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 2, the beverage dispensing machine further comprises a motor 12,that is controlled by drive signal Cp and that is arranged for drivingthe dosing pump 22 via a drive shaft 13. In a variant the pump ismagnetically coupled with the dosing pump. Alternatively a motor fordriving the dosing pump 22 may be integrated in the dosing pump. In thatcase the dosing pump may be coupled by electric contacts to thecontroller 11 to receive the drive signal Cp. Alternatively the drivesignal CP may be transferred in a contactless manner between thecontroller and an integrated motor, for example by a capacitive orinductive coupling. In again another embodiment the motor may have arotor part integrated in the dosing pump 22 and a stator part arrangedoutside the dosing pump as a part of the beverage dispensing machine 10.

The beverage dispensing system comprises a first detection facilityarranged to detect presence of liquid substance in the dosing pump and asecond detection facility that is arranged to detect placement of anexchangeable supply package. The controller 11 is coupled to thesedetection facilities. The first detection facility may include a pair ofelectrical contacts inside the pump house. The presence of a liquidinside the pump house is detectable by an increased electricalconductivity between the electrical contacts. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 3, the first detection facility includes a transmitter 151 foremitting radiation and a first detector 152 for detecting radiation. Theexchangeable supply pack 20 includes a first substantially transparentelement 221 which in use is positioned between the transmitter 151 andthe first detector 152.

Also various implementations of the second detection facility arepossible. The second detection facility may for example be an input ofthe controller that allows an operator to signal that a new exchangeablesupply package is placed. Alternatively, the second detection facilitymay include a mechanical switch that senses placement of a newexchangeable supply package. Preferably however, the second detectionfacility is implemented in a non-mechanical manner. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 3, the second detection facility includes a transmitter151 (in this case the same transmitter as used in the first detectionfacility) for emitting radiation and a second detector 153 for detectingradiation. The exchangeable supply package 20 at least has an opaqueportion 222 that blocks transmission of radiation from the transmitter151 to the second detector 153 when the exchangeable supply package 20is placed in the beverage dispensing machine. In the absence of anexchangeable supply package 20, at least part of the emitted radiationreaches the second detector 153.

When taking into use a new exchangeable supply pack 20, no liquidsubstance is present yet in the dosing pump that could assist inconducting away heat developed by mutually moving parts. Typically alsoheat development is higher than during normal use as the liquidsubstance cannot serve as a lubricant.

In the embodiment shown the controller 11 is coupled to a storage medium115, forming a computer program product that is executed by thecontroller. Alternatively, the controller 11 may be provided asdedicated hardware having predefined functionality.

In the beverage dispensing system according to the present invention thecontroller 11 is operable in at least one of a start-up mode M1 and asubsequent normal operation mode M2. The controller is arranged toassume the start-up mode in response to a signal D2 from the seconddetection facility issued by the second detector 153 indicating that anew exchangeable supply package 20 is placed. In the start-up mode M1the system is arranged to repeat an activation cycle AC that comprisesactivating the dosing pump 22 during a first period of time andsubsequently maintaining the pump in a deactivated state during a secondperiod of time. Alternatively, the pump may be only partiallydeactivated during this second period of time, e.g. by operating thepump at a lower power than during the first period. In any case theduration of the first period, the duration of the second period and thepower levels during the first and the second period are selected torestrict heat development inside the pump to an acceptable level even inthe absence of liquid substance from the container.

Upon detection by the first detection facility as indicated by signal D1from the first detector 152 that liquid substance is present within thedosing pump 22, the controller 11 is arranged to leave the start-up modeM1. When leaving the start-up mode the controller may immediately assumethe normal operation mode M2. Alternatively, the controller may firstassume an intermediary operational mode M12 before assuming the normaloperation mode.

In the embodiment shown, the controller 11 has a detection facility 111to detect if a duration of the start-up mode M1 exceeds a predeterminedduration. Alternatively, or additionally, the controller 11 may have adetection facility 111 to detect if a number of times that saidactivation cycle is repeated exceeds a predetermined number of times.Upon detection that the duration exceeds said predetermined durationand/or that a number of times that said activation cycle is repeatedexceeds a predetermined number of times the controller issues adetection signal Derr. In addition the controller 11 may assume an errormode M3. In this way it is prevented that the activation cycle isendlessly repeated in the exceptional case that the exchangeable supplypackage 20 is not properly opened.

FIG. 4 schematically shows an embodiment of the beverage dispensingsystem 1 comprising a beverage dispensing machine and three exchangeablesupply packs 20. Parts therein corresponding to those in FIGS. 1,2 and 3have the same reference number. Additionally the embodiment of thebeverage dispensing system 1 of FIG. 4 comprises a water jet mixer 174for mixing a liquid substance from one of the containers with waterheated by heater 176 and air provided by air conduit 178. Alternatively,a water jet mixer is provided in the beverage dispensing machine foreach exchangeable supply pack. In the embodiment shown the beveragedispensing machine includes a touch screen 18 that is coupled to thecontroller. The touch screen 18 provides output signals Txy to thecontroller 11 that are indicative for user control acts and thecontroller 11 drives the touch screen 18 with signals Sfb to provide theuser with visual feedback and to indicate available options.Alternatively or in addition other input means may be provided to allowthe user to control the beverage dispensing machine, e.g. means toreceive voice input and/or mechanical means for manual control. Likewiseother output means may be provided as an alternative or in addition toprovide the user with feedback and to indicate available options, e.g.an auditory output.

The controller 11 provides control signals Sc to control operation ofthe beverage preparation system, e.g. control signals Cp to control thedosing pumps 22 and optional other elements, such as the heating device176. The controller receives status signals St, such as the outputsignals of the first and the second detector 152, 153.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a method according to the present invention.Therein FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating possible steps of the methodand FIG. 6 is a time diagram, illustrating an exemplary sequence ofevents. In this example it is presumed that the operator places anexchangeable supply pack 20 in the beverage dispensing machine at timet1. In response thereto the second detection facility provides a signalindicative for this event, by raising the signal level D2.

In response thereto the controller performs a first step S1 thatinitiates a wiggling motion of the drive shaft 13 that is provided todrive the dosing pump 22. I.e. in this step the drive shaft 13 isrotated alternately in a forward and a backward direction over arelatively small angle, e.g. by around +/−40 degrees. This wigglingmotion simplifies engagement between a profile of the drive shaft 13 anda complimentary profile of a rotatable element of the dosing pump. Forthis purpose, the rotational speed during this wiggling motion isrelatively low, e.g. in the order of 10 to 20 rpm. It may be presumedthat the mutually complimentary profiles of the drive shaft 13 and therotatable element are engaged after continuing the wiggling motionduring a predetermined amount of time. Alternatively a detection meansmay be present to detect if engagement is achieved. In embodiments thestep S1 may be skipped, for example in embodiments wherein theengagement is achieved manually, or wherein the exchangeable supply pack20 is provided with the complimentary profile of the rotatable elementof the dosing pump in a standard orientation that matches a defaultstandard orientation of the drive shaft. Also the step S1 is superfluousif the motor is integrated with the dosing pump, or if the motor and thedosing pump are coupled in a contactless manner.

Upon expiry of the predetermined amount of time or upon detection ofengagement, in this example at t2, the controller 11 assumes thestart-up mode M1. In this example the start-up mode M1 starts with abroaching step S2. In this step S2 a piercing element is driven througha seal 26 that seals a channel from the container 24 to the pump.Alternatively the seal may be pierced manually.

Subsequently the dosing pump is driven in step S3 to create a vacuum toallow liquid substance 25 to flow from the container 24 towards thedosing pump 22.

In the start-up mode M1 the system is arranged to repeat an activationcycle AC. The activation cycle comprising activating the dosing pump 22during a first period of time in step S5 and subsequently maintainingthe pump in an at least partially deactivated state during a secondperiod of time in step S6. By way of example step S5 involves drivingthe motor for 10 revolutions at a speed of 600 rpm, while in step S6 themotor is full deactivated during 5 seconds. Alternatively, step S6 maycomprise driving the motor at a lower speed, but for a longer durationthan the duration of a full deactivation. A full deactivation ispreferred as it simplifies control and best enables the dosing pump 22to cool down. In the embodiment shown it is detected in step S4 at thestart of the first activation cycle and subsequent to each step S6 ifliquid substance is present in the dosing pump 22. Alternatively thisdetection may take place subsequent to step S5 and before step S6. Inpractice this detection may take place continuously while performing theactivation cycle AC. Upon detection (Y) of liquid substance inside thepump the activation cycle is no longer repeated and the system isarranged to assume a subsequent operational mode. If no liquid substanceis detected (N), the activation cycle AC is repeated. In this example itis detected at time t4 during the third activation cycle that a liquidsubstance is present in the dosing pump. This has the effect that thethird activation cycle is interrupted, therewith completing activationmode M1. The system assumes an intermediary mode of operation M12.Therein the dosing pump 22 is activated to buffer an amount of liquidsubstance. Subsequently, at time t5 the system assumes the normaloperation mode M2. By buffering an amount of liquid substance outsidethe container 24 the system can still provide a beverage containing theliquid substance at the moment it is detected during normal use that thecontainer 24 runs empty. The first detection facility may be used forthis detection. Alternatively, the dosing pump may have an internalspace having a volume that is more than sufficient for a completebeverage and the first detection facility may be arranged to indicatethe condition that the internal space is not completely filled, forexample by detecting the presence of liquid substance at the highestlevel within the internal space. Alternatively, or in addition thesystem may pass through other intermediary modes of operation, beforeassuming normal operational mode, for example to perform a selfdiagnosis or to execute a warming-up procedure. Alternatively, uponcompletion of the activation mode M1, the system may directly assume thenormal operational mode M2, wherein it is ready to dispense beveragesupon control instructions by the operator.

The flowchart of FIG. 5 also shows a step S7. In this step it isdetected if a condition (Y) occurs that indicates that the activationprocedure AP fails for some reason. If this is the case the controller11 assumes an error mode M3. In this mode M3, the operator may besignaled that an error occurred during the start-up mode M1. If no suchcondition occurs, the activation cycle AC is allowed to repeat. Apossible interrupt condition is a duration of the start-up mode M1 thatexceeds a predetermined duration. Another possible interrupt conditionis the situation wherein a number of times that said activation cycle isrepeated exceeds a predetermined number of times. In the embodimentshown the detection of step S7 takes place subsequent to step S6,wherein the dosing pump 22 is (at least partially) deactivated. More inparticular the controller counts the number of times that the activationcycle AC is repeated and assumes the error mode if said number exceeds apredetermined number of times (for example 10 times). Alternatively,this detection may take place in another phase during the activationcycle. By way of example the controller 11 may be provided with a timer111 that is started at the onset of the activation mode M1 and that isstopped at completion of the activation mode, wherein a timer valueexceeding a predetermined value (for example 1 minute) is a failurecondition.

FIG. 7A to 7D show various stages occurring when taking into use a newexchangeable supply pack 20. The dosing pump 22 with its firsttransparent part 221 and its second opaque part 222 acts here as asecond or pack interface for cooperating with a first, or machineinterface formed by the transmitter 151 and the detectors 152 and 153.

In FIG. 7A a situation is depicted that a full exchangeable supply pack20 comprising a dosing pump 22 is not yet received between thetransmitter 151 and the first and second detectors 152 and 153. Each ofthe first and second detectors is now exposed to the unobstructedradiation of the transmitter 151. This is characteristic for a situationthat no pack 20 is present.

In FIG. 7B a full exchangeable supply pack 20 is shown whereby thedosing pump 22 of the supply pack 20 is partly inserted between thetransmitter 151 and the first detector 152. When the first detector 152,as shown in FIG. 7B, does not detect any radiation from the transmitterand when at the same time the second detector 153 detects theunobstructed radiation from the transmitter 151, then it can bedetermined that the pack 20 is not (yet) correctly inserted.

In FIG. 7C it is shown that the full pack 20 is properly inserted, withthe upper part 221 facing the first detector 152 and the lower part 222facing the second detector 153. In this case the pack 20 is full andthus filled with a liquid product. Presuming that the pack 20 is sealed,no liquid substance 25 from the container 24 in the package will bepresent yet in the dosing pump 22. Accordingly the first detector 152still detects the substantially unobstructed radiation from thetransmitter 151. Detection of a liquid substance in the dosing pump inthis stage indicates an error, for example a defect seal. In response toa detection of this condition the controller 11 may assume the errormode M3 and the controller may use the user interface to signal this tothe operator. If this error condition is not detected, the controller 11proceeds with the next step S2, i.e. broaching the pack and subsequentlyattempts to pump liquid substance from the container 24 in the dosingpump 22. Once this is successful the liquid substance fills the dosingpump 22 resulting in the situation depicted in FIG. 7D. Now radiationfrom the transmitter 151 is at least partly obstructed by the liquidsubstance in the dosing pump and this is detected and signaled to thecontroller by the first detector 152. Presuming that the detectors 152,153 provide respective binary signals D1, D2 wherein 1 indicates theamount of received radiation is higher than a proper threshold level(which may be mutually different for these detectors) and 0 indicatesthe amount of received radiation is lower than the proper thresholdlevel the following situations may occur.

D1 D2 Situation 0 0 Pack is properly placed and dosing pump is filled.(FIG. 7D) Before step S2 this may indicate a leaking seal. 0 1 Pack ispartly, but not yet properly placed. (FIG. 7B) 1 0 Pack is properlyplaced, and dosing pump is empty. (FIG. 7C) 1 1 No pack is placed (FIG.7A)

FIG. 8 illustrates an optional additional feature to facilitateplacement of a new pack 20 in the beverage dispensing machine. As thepack 20 is placed into the beverage dispensing machine a splined driveshaft 13 of the dispenser pump drive 12 must engage with pinion 245 ofthe pump mechanism of the dosing pump 22. A problem can be defined inthat a driven member, such as the pinion 245 of the gear pump, has to bepressed into engagement with the splined shaft 13 that will be drivingthe pinion 245. Both driving shaft 13 and pinion 245 have a moderateamount of friction. When the splines 81 of the splined shaft 13 are notin line with mating formations 83 on the pinion 245 a solution is neededto align both without damaging the splines 81 or mating formations 83 ofeither part. This engagement is made easier if the drive shaft 13 isoscillating backwards and forwards by around +/−40 degrees, inaccordance with arrows 85, 87 indicated in FIG. 8. According to aproposed solution the first detector 152 detects when the pinion 245 isgetting close to the drive shaft 13 and when this is the case, the driveshaft 79 is wiggled slightly for a few degrees. This lasts a secondafter the first detector 152 detects the presence of the pinion 245 bymeans of the second substantially opaque element 222. The chosensolution for simplifying the engagement between driving and drivenmembers 13, 245 is effective without human attention. This engagement ismore readily achieved if the drive shaft 13 is rotated back and forth bya few degrees as the driven member 245 of the dosing pump 22 engages therelevant splines 81. This oscillating rotation performed in step S1 ofthe embodiment of the method described with reference to FIG. 5 isreferred to above as ‘wiggling’.

In the example presented above, it is presumed that the liquid substancecontained in the container 24 of the exchangeable supply pack 20 isopaque, so that its presence in the dosing pump can be detected bymonitoring transmission of radiation through the transparent part 221 ofthe dosing pump. Another embodiment is described in the sequel that isalso suitable for transparent liquid substances.

FIG. 9 shows an exploded view of this dosing pump 22 in this embodiment.A first substantially transparent element 249 can be seen protrudingfrom the right hand side of the dosing pump 22. A stepped/serratedfeature 251 provides an optical element of the system, as will beexplained below. The dosing pump further includes a bottom housing 239,a pump housing 241, and a top cap 243. The bottom housing 239 is themain housing of the dosing pump 22. The pump accommodated in the pumphousing 241 is a gear pump with a pair of mutually engaging gear pinions245, 247. One of the gear pinions 245, 247 of the pair is arranged forcoupling to the drive shaft 13 of the beverage dispensing machine.

The pump housing 241 provides the body of the gear pump and both aninlet and outlet orifices for the pump. In the specific embodiment, asdescribed here an extension 255 in the liquid flow path 253 can be seenon the right hand side of the pump housing 241. This extension 255functions as a flow diverter. This flow diverter 255 ensures thatproduct drawn into the pump passes through the first substantiallytransparent element, in the present FIG. 9 sample chamber 249, and hencethrough the field of view of an optical system to be described below. Itshould be understood however that the flow diverter is an optionalelement not essential to the operation of the optical system.

The top cap 243 mounts to the bottom housing 239. The top cap 243 isused for attachment of the dosing pump 22 to a container 24 (not shown,but conventional) provided as part of an exchangeable supply pack 20.

FIG. 10 shows the dosing pump 22 of FIG. 9 in assembled condition and inposition with respect to a detection arrangement formed by a transmitter151 and a first, a second and a third detector 152, 153, 154.

In FIG. 11A, 11B it can be seen that light from the external lightsource 151 is directed towards a prism 259 that forms a part of thesample chamber 249. Here the prism 259 acts as an optical element, whichcan be an element in any shape or form that makes use of difference inrefractive index of fluids and air. It is only required that such anoptical element can be utilised to alter a direction of light fallingonto this optical element. The light from the light source 151 passesthrough an external wall 261, but is reflected from an internal insidewall 263 when no liquid is present yet in the sample chamber 249 (seeFIG. 11A), or at the end of life of the pack 20, when all liquidsubstance is used. The reflected light then exits the prism 259 where itis detected by a third detector, e.g. a reflection sensor 154.

The presence of a liquid in the sample chamber 249 (see FIG. 13B)changes the refractive index at the internal inside wall 263 causing thelight to continue into the liquid instead of being reflected. Lightemerging from a far chamber wall 267 is detected by a first detector,e.g. transmission sensor 152.

To reduce cost and improve manufacturability the solid prism 259 of theschematic FIGS. 11 (A and B) is replaced by a series of smallerplurality of prism facets 271 shown in FIG. 11C. In the embodimentdescribed the prism facets 271 form the stepped serrated feature 251 atan exterior of the inside wall 263 of the sample chamber 249. In otherconceivable examples the whole housing of the dosing pump 22 might beused as the sample chamber and the prism facets could be incorporatedinto the housing side wall.

Presuming that the detectors 152, 154 provide respective binary signalsD1, D2 wherein 1 indicates the amount of received radiation is higherthan a proper threshold level (which may be mutually different for thesedetectors) and 0 indicates the amount of received radiation is lowerthan the proper threshold level the following situations may occur.

D1 D2 Situation 0 0 An opaque liquid is present in the sample chamber249 0 1 No liquid is present in the sample chamber 249 1 0 A transparentliquid is present in the sample chamber 249 1 1 NA

In an embodiment as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the dosing pump 22 usedwith the container 24 comprises a tubular conduit 31 from the container24 to the dosing pump 22. Arranged inside the tubular conduit 31 is arotatable piercing element 32 (See FIG. 7) with tooth shaped elements321 facing the container 24 (schematically indicated by dotted lines).The seal 26 to be pierced is indicated schematically by a solid line.The rotatable piercing element 32 is also shown separately in FIG. 13A,and the tubular conduit 31 is shown separately in FIGS. 13B and 13C.Therein FIG. 13C illustrates a cross-section of said another partaccording to C1-C2 in FIG. 13B. The rotatable piercing element has anouter profile 322 that cooperates with an inner profile 311 of thetubular conduit to define an axial position (z) of said rotatablepiercing element 32 dependent on its angular position (α), wherein saidrotatable piercing element at least has a first state ST1 as shown inFIGS. 12, 13, and 13A wherein it is angularly coupled to a rotatableelement of said dosing pump 22. In this embodiment the rotatable elementof the dosing pump 22 to which the rotatable piercing element 32 iscoupled is a shaft 248 protruding from a secondary gear 247 of the pump.As, in the beverage dispensing system, the protruding shaft 248 ismechanically coupled with the drive shaft 13 that drives the dosingpump, a single motor 12 can be used to pierce the seal 26 to thecontainer and to drive the dosing pump 22 for subsequent normal use.

As can be seen in FIGS. 13 and 13A, the rotatable piercing element 32has a further outer profile 323. As can best be seen in FIG. 13C, thetubular conduit 31 has a further inner profile 312 that cooperates withthe further outer profile 323 of the rotatable piercing element 32. Theouter profile 322 and the further outer profile 323 of the rotatablepiercing element 32 are formed as a helical thread, wherein the helicalthread 323 has a larger pitch than the helical thread 322.

During execution of step S2 in the embodiment as described withreference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the drive shaft 13 is driven by motor 12.Via the mechanical coupling between the gears 245, 247 and theprotruding shaft 248 this results in a rotating movement of the piercingelement 32. As the piercing element 32 can freely shift in an axialdirection along the protruding shaft 248, the engagement between thehelical thread 322 of the piercing element 32 and the inner profile 311has the effect that the rotatable piercing element 32 combines arotating movement in the direction a around this axis z with an axialdisplacement in that direction z. Therewith the seal 26 is protruded toprovide a channel for the liquid substance from the container 24 via theconduit 31 to the dosing pump 22. During the execution of step S2, therotational speed may be relatively low as compared to the rotationalspeed used to dose a liquid substance. For example the rotational speedin step S2 may be in the range of 0.2 to 0.5 times the rotational speedused for dosing. By way of example the rotational speed in step S2 isabout 200 rpm, whereas the rotational speed used when dosing is 600 rpm.

Due to the axial displacement of the piercing element 32 occurringduring the execution of step S2 the helical thread 323 engages thefurther inner profile 312 of the conduit 31. As the helical thread 323has a relatively large pitch the piercing element 32 is now acceleratedin the axial direction z until it releases the protruding shaft 248. Dueto its inertness the piercing element continues its displacement for amoment until it is blocked in both directions by a blocking element (notshown). Therewith the rotatable piercing element 32 has assumed a secondstate ST2, as shown in FIG. 14, wherein it is decoupled from theprotruding shaft 248.

Due to air present in the dosing pump 22, the liquid substance 25 willtypically not flow spontaneously inside the dosing pump. Accordingly, inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the dosing pump is initially driven instep S3 before actually determining if liquid substance has entered thedosing pump. Driving the dosing pump 22 in step S3 creates an underpressure inside the pump and the conduit towards the pump thatfacilitates the flow of liquid. Alternatively the activation procedureAP may start immediately after the exchangeable supply pack in step S2.In that case a longer time-out period or a larger maximum number ofiterations may be selected if step S7 is performed to take into accountthat no under pressure was created yet at the start of the activationprocedure AP.

It is thus believed that the operation and construction of the presentinvention will be apparent from the foregoing description and drawingsappended thereto. It will be clear to the skilled person that theinvention is not limited to any embodiment herein described and thatmodifications are possible which should be considered within the scopeof the appended claims. Also kinematic inversions are consideredinherently disclosed and to be within the scope of the invention.

As will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, the elements listedin the system and device claims are meant to include any hardware (suchas separate or integrated circuits or electronic elements) or software(such as programs or parts of programs) which reproduce in operation orare designed to reproduce a specified function, be it solely or inconjunction with other functions, be it in isolation or in co-operationwith other elements. The invention can be implemented by means ofhardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of asuitably programmed computer. In the system claims enumerating severalmeans, several of these means can be embodied by one and the same itemof hardware. ‘Computer program product’ is to be understood to mean anysoftware product stored on a computer-readable medium, such as a floppydisk, downloadable via a network, such as the Internet, or marketable inany other manner.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third etc.may be used herein to describe various elements, components, modulesand/or units, these elements, components, modules and/or units shouldnot be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguishone element, component, module and/or unit from another element,component, module and/or unit. Thus, a first element, component, moduleand/or unit discussed herein could be termed a second element,component, module and/or unit without departing from the teachings ofthe present invention.

In the claims, any reference signs shall not be construed as limitingthe claim. The term ‘comprising’ and ‘including’ when used in thisdescription or the appended claims should not be construed in anexclusive or exhaustive sense but rather in an inclusive sense. Thus theexpression ‘comprising’ as used herein does not exclude the presence ofother elements or steps in addition to those listed in any claim.Furthermore, the words ‘a’ and ‘an’ shall not be construed as limited to‘only one’, but instead are used to mean ‘at least one’, and do notexclude a plurality. Features that are not specifically or explicitlydescribed or claimed may be additionally included in the structure ofthe invention within its scope. Expressions such as: “means for . . . ”should be read as: “component configured for . . . ” or “memberconstructed to . . . ” and should be construed to include equivalentsfor the structures disclosed. The use of expressions like: “critical”,“preferred”, “especially preferred” etc. is not intended to limit theinvention. Additions, deletions, and modifications within the purview ofthe skilled person may generally be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention, as is determined by the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for taking into use an exchangeablesupply pack in a beverage dispensing machine, the exchangeable supplypack comprising a dosing pump and a container with a liquid substance tobe supplied by the beverage dispensing machine, the method subsequentlycomprising: detecting placement of the exchangeable supply pack;executing an activation procedure comprising repeating an activationcycle while detecting whether or not a liquid substance is presentinside the dosing pump, the activation cycle comprising: a) activatingthe dosing pump during a first period of time; b) at least partiallydeactivating the dosing pump during a second period of time; theactivation procedure being completed when it is detected that liquidsubstance is present in the dosing pump.
 2. The method according toclaim 1, comprising, subsequent to said detecting and prior to executingsaid activation procedure, the step of broaching the container toprovide a channel for said liquid substance between the container andthe dosing pump.
 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said dosingpump includes a driven pump pinion for receiving a driving shaft of thebeverage dispensing machine and wherein said broaching the container ispreceded by an adaptation procedure to facilitate mechanically couplingsaid pinion to said driving shaft, said adaptation procedure comprisingalternately rotating said driving shaft forward and backward.
 4. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the activation procedure furthercomprises detecting if an interrupt condition occurs and interruptingthe activation procedure upon such detection, said interrupt conditionincluding one or more of a duration of said start-up mode exceeding apredetermined duration and a number of times that said activation cycleis repeated exceeding a predetermined number of times.
 5. The methodaccording to claim 1, comprising a buffering step subsequent tocompletion of said activation procedure and before starting a normaloperation mode, in which buffering step a buffer is filled with liquidsubstance from said container.
 6. The method according to claim 1,wherein the method comprises providing a beverage dispensing machinecomprising a controller for controlling the dosing pump, and an inlet toreceive liquid substance to be delivered by the dosing pump from thecontainer; wherein a first detection facility detects presence of liquidsubstance in the dosing pump, wherein a second detection facilitydetects the placement of the exchangeable supply package; wherein thecontroller is coupled to said first and said second detection facility,wherein the controller is operable in at least one of a start-up modeand a subsequent normal operation mode, wherein the controller assumessaid start-up mode in response to a signal from said second detectionfacility indicating that a new exchangeable supply package is placed, inwhich start-up mode the activation procedure is performed, wherein thecontroller completes the start-up mode upon detection by said firstdetection facility that liquid substance is present within the dosingpump.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein placement of theexchangeable supply pack involves simultaneous placement of thee dosingpump and the container of the supply pack.
 8. The method according toclaim 1, including emitting radiation by a transmitter and providing adetector for detecting radiation, wherein the exchangeable supply packincludes a first substantially transparent element, wherein thetransparent element is positioned between the transmitter and thedetector.
 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein an exchangeablesupply pack is used that comprises a single dosing pump and a singlecontainer with a liquid substance, the dosing pump including a housingthat is immovably attached to the container.
 10. The method according toclaim 1, wherein no liquid is present in the dosing pump of theexchangeable supply pack during the placement of the exchangeable supplypack in the beverage dispensing machine.
 11. A beverage dispensingsystem comprising: a beverage dispensing machine and at least oneexchangeable supply pack comprising a dosing pump and a container with aliquid substance to be supplied by the beverage dispensing machine, thebeverage dispensing machine comprising a controller for controlling thedosing pump, and an inlet to receive liquid substance to be delivered bythe dosing pump from the container; a first detection facility arrangedto detect presence of liquid substance in the dosing pump and a seconddetection facility arranged to detect placement of an exchangeablesupply package, wherein the controller is coupled to said first and saidsecond detection facility and being operable in at least one of astart-up mode and a subsequent normal operation mode, the controllerbeing arranged to assume said start-up mode in response to a signal fromsaid second detection facility indicating that a new exchangeable supplypackage is placed, in which start-up mode the system is arranged toperform an activation procedure wherein an activation cycle is repeatedcomprising activating the dosing pump during a first period of time andsubsequently maintaining the pump in an at least partially deactivatedstate during a second period of time, and wherein upon detection by saidfirst detection facility that liquid substance is present within thedosing pump, said controller is arranged to complete the start-up mode.12. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 11, wherein therepeating of the activation cycle is preceded by a broaching step andwherein the exchangeable supply pack includes a piercing element toperform said broaching step.
 13. The beverage dispensing systemaccording to claim 12, wherein the exchangeable supply pack comprises aconduit from the container to the pump, having the piercing elementrotatable arranged therein, the piercing element having tooth shapedelements facing the container to perform the broaching step, therotatable piercing element having an outer profile that cooperates withan inner profile of the conduit to define an axial position of saidrotatable piercing element dependent on its angular position, whereinsaid rotatable piercing element at least has a first state wherein it isangularly coupled to a rotatable element of said dosing pump.
 14. Thebeverage dispensing system according to claim 13, wherein said rotatablepiercing element has a second state wherein it is decoupled from saidrotatable element.
 15. The beverage dispensing system according to claim11, wherein the controller has a detection facility to detect if aduration of said start-up mode exceeds a predetermined duration and/orto detect if a number of times that said activation cycle is repeatedexceeds a predetermined number of times and to issue a detection signalupon such detection.
 16. The beverage dispensing system according toclaim 11, wherein said dosing pump is a volumetric pump.
 17. Thebeverage dispensing system according to claim 16, wherein saidvolumetric pump is a gear pump.
 18. The beverage dispensing systemaccording to claim 11, wherein a buffer space is provided outside saidcontainer, and wherein said controller is arranged to perform abuffering step wherein said dosing pump is activated to fill said bufferwith liquid substance from said container.
 19. An apparatus comprising:a computer program for execution by a controller of a beveragedispensing system that further comprises a beverage dispensing machineand at least one exchangeable supply pack comprising a dosing pump and acontainer with a liquid substance to be supplied by the beveragedispensing machine, the dosing pump being controlled by the controller,and having an inlet to receive liquid substance to be delivered by thedosing pump from the container, the beverage dispensing system furthercomprising a first detection facility arranged to detect presence ofliquid substance in the dosing pump and a second detection facilityarranged to detect placement of an exchangeable supply package, whereinthe controller is coupled to said first and said second detectionfacility, which computer program when executed by the controller causessaid beverage dispensing system to perform operations comprising:detecting placement of the exchangeable supply pack, executing anactivation procedure comprising repeating an activation cycle whiledetecting whether or not a liquid substance is present inside the dosingpump, the activation cycle comprising: a) activating the dosing pumpduring a first period of time, b) at least partially deactivating thedosing pump during a second period of time, the activation procedurebeing completed when it is detected that liquid substance is present inthe dosing pump.
 20. A method, comprising: providing a beveragedispensing machine comprising at least one exchangeable supply pack, theat least one exchangeable supply pack comprising a dosing pump and acontainer with a liquid substance to be supplied by the beveragedispensing machine; determining, by a controller of the beveragedispensing machine, a new exchangeable supply pack of the at least oneexchangeable supply pack has been placed in the beverage dispensingmachine; activating, by the controller, the dosing pump for a firstperiod of time as part of a start-up mode of operation for the beveragedispensing machine; at least partially deactivating, by the controller,the dosing pump for a second period of time; receiving, by thecontroller, an indication that liquid substance is present in the dosingpump; and in response to receiving the indication that liquid substanceis present in the dosing pump, initiating, by the controller, a normaloperating mode for the beverage dispensing machine.